Luxury Guide: Miami Winter 2021-2022

TRENDING HOME

BY CHRISTIANA LILLY B orn nearly 40 years ago from the embers of creativity and drive, BELT was founded with the idea that beautiful metalwork had a place in design. Armed with a team of talented craftsmen, the company works side-by-side with architects, interior designers, project owners and builders to make their vision a reality. It all began when architect and sculptor Louis Beltran and architect Luz Angela Garcia were a young couple looking to open their own architectural practice in Colombia. In this endeavor, they recognized an opportunity to forge design and artistry in the field of construction. BELT was created in 1985, as a place where the ancient craft of metalworking could be brought to the modern day with timeless creations. The firm exploded and soon its works were center stage at hotels, restaurants, residences and public spaces. WithColombia’s construction crisis in1999, Beltran andGarcia relocated to Florida. Here, BELT focused on ultra-high-end residential architecture by collaborating with lauded architects, designers, builders and homeowners in the most exclusive locations around the country. Today, the firm boasts boutique projects around the globe—as well as three Mizner Awards for excellence in craftsmanship, as well as other industry awards and recognitions—thanks to BELT’s reputation for its discerning design eye, metal artistry and unmatched quality.We talked to the team at BELT about its inspirations and emphasis on collaboration. What qualities set BELT apart from others in the industry? Louis Beltran, “The Maestro,” is the creative mind behind many of the design projects the firm undertakes, thanks to his true essence as a sculptor and artist with an incredible passion for metal design and deep technical knowledge of the materials. He and the second generation of dreamers, Valentina and Federico Beltran, architects and designers as well, blend their design drive with craft capabilities in every project. With more than 120 people in its atelier, BELT has mastered the techniques of blacksmithing, bronzing, forging MAESTRO OF Metal Constantly pushing the boundaries of art and design, BELT is a metal design studio of dreamers, artists, designers and makers led by "Maestro" Louis Beltran.

and casting, and combined them with innovative cutting-edge craftsmanship.

What is your signature product, service or design element? We work mostly in specialty interior and exterior architectural metals, artistic metal surfaces, custom furniture, light fixtures, design objects and art commissions, but we don't really have a signature service, product or element. On one side, we are solutions seekers with a very detailed eye for aesthetics, beauty, art and architecture, and on the other side, we invite homeowners, clients, influencers and architects to join us in the process of co-creating someone's vision. We push boundaries to help clients open their minds to new possibilities. How do you approach a blank canvas? We love blank canvases and they have never been a challenge for us at BELT. We listen, ask questions and bring ideas to the table to understand what the client truly wants. They see the unlimited capabilities we bring to the table and the co-creation process starts! Howwould you describe your clientele? Those who are on a quest for design excellence, outstanding quality and unparalleled commitment. Those who believe quality and craftsmanship are not trade-offs for lower prices. We work with project owners, architects, interior designers and builders of new or remodels of high-end single-family homes, boutique luxury hotels, restaurants and places of worship. How do you collaborate with clients? We invite our clients to join us in the creative journey. There is a feeling of confidence that is created from the first conversation then we get to know each other. First, we identify what the client needs—their expectations, dreams, restrictions, constraints and above all what they are dreaming. We show them what we have done and what we could do and the endless possibilities of metal. There may be sketches or storytelling as we start understanding each other. Howdo you define a successful project? With a big smile on a client’s face. This shows how much they appreciate our work and how proud they are of their project outcome. What would be your dream creative project? To participate in a project from the beginning and co-design and co-create with the

Federico Beltran, Louis Beltran, Luz Angela Garcia, Valentina Beltran and Maria Beltran (seated)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BELT

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